Singer Kellie Pickler named new 'Dancing' champ

KELLIE PICKLER, DEREK HOUGH

This May 13, 2013 photo released by ABC shows country singer Kellie Pickler and her partner Derek Hough performing on the celebrity dance competition series "Dancing with the Stars," in Los Angeles. Pickler is one of four celebrities competing in the finals Monday, May 20. A winner will be announced on Tuesday. (AP Photo/ABC, Adam Taylor)

AP

SANDY COHEN,AP Entertainment Writer

Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:03 a.m.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kellie Pickler came into the final "Dancing With the Stars" episode in second place but finished in first.

The 26-year-old country singer won the show's mirror ball trophy Tuesday.

"This is amazing!" she beamed to her professional partner, Derek Hough.

The pair earned two sets of perfect scores Monday night and another on Tuesday. Judges' scores combined with viewer votes determine the winner.

Because there were problems with voting on the ABC website during Monday's East Coast broadcast, host Tom Bergeron said Tuesday those votes weren't counted. Only votes cast by phone, text and Facebook factored into the final count.

Teen Disney Channel star Zendaya danced perfectly during the final two episodes, collecting the most points from the judges, but she fell short of the title.

"I'm very proud and I'm very happy," the 16-year-old said after the results were read. "And I get to leave here with an amazing experience."

Football pro Jacoby Jones finished in third place. Fellow finalist Alexandra Raisman was axed at the beginning of Tuesday's episode.

"This has been the best experience of my life," the gold medalist said. "My whole life, all I've ever known has been gymnastics, so to try something new has been amazing."